Gentle Maura oozed style and grace throughout life
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR MUCH-LOVED BALBRIGGAN GOLFER
The late Maura Reilly, who retained a lifelong affinity with the north county area.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Balbriggan native, who sadly passed away at Beaumont Hospital last week.
Maura Reilly, nee McCullen, was born and reared in Salmon, Balbriggan, in October 1931, and until her death last Monday, January 25th, retained a lifelong affinity with the north county area. The youngest of three sisters, she spent her early years on Salmon farm, Balbriggan. She was educated at Loreto Convent, Balbriggan, and later at the College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin before working as a book-keeper with Bloxham Stockbrokers and later with Donal Reilly & Co on Manor Street.
In 1959, she married the same Donal Reilly, whom she had met in Balbriggan and they settled in Santry, and had one son, Don. Maura became a full-time homemaker, utilising her considerable talents as gardener, cake-maker, knitter and dressmaker extraordinaire. She made Don's communion and confirmation outfits as well as many elegant pieces for herself and others.
She was a very stylish dresser and used to joke that all she lacked were the occasions at which to wear her creations.
Founder
Both keen golfers, Maura and Donal were members of Balbriggan Golf Club, where indeed she was a founder member. She made many friends there and continued her membership after Donal died in 1991.
Indeed, she took great pride in being lady captain for the second time in Balbriggan, during their jubilee year in 1995.
Always fit and active, she began hiking with An Óige, an interest she shared with Don.
One of her early achievements was to complete the 131km of the Wicklow Way from Marlay Park in South Dublin to Clonegal, Carlow in 11 stages. Her walking also took her to the beautiful islands of the Irish coast.
She was endlessly interested in family and the bond with her two sisters, Oonagh and the late Nancy was exceptionally strong and stretched to include their children and subsequent generations.
Even in the final days of her illness the question always came, 'and how are the children?'.
A gentle person by nature, Maura loved clothes, making arrangements from the flowers in the garden, the Irish Times crossaire crossword, north County Dublin, Howth market, and recycling bits and bobs picked up on her walks.
Her dislikes included litter, brash furniture store radio ads and clichés in the media such as 'going forward'.
Maura was laid to rest in Dardistown Cemetery last Thursday, following her funeral Mass at the Church of Blessed Margaret Ball and is survived by her son Don, sister Oonagh and all her relatives in the Cassin, Phelan and Reilly families.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.
